Spanish horses - Mane care & plaiting questions

[Andiamo]

HI to the Spanish horse people,

I am a relative newbie to Spanish horses, I have a gelding (had him since May 2011) with a very very long mane (gorgeous by the way!). When riding, I need to keep it plaited out of the way of the reins, but I find I am having to do a Spanish plait every day (very time consuming) - because it just slides out as I am riding, and by the next day he looks like he's been dragged through a hedge backwards

The plait is pretty tight, and almost up to his crest when I do it - but because his mane is so silky and smooth, it just slides out. Should I:

1) add some hair /mane product (plaiting gel) to make it more tacky so it will stay up and in place?
2) stop using Mane & Tail conditioner to detangle it - maybe because this product might be making the hair too soft and silky to stay plaited
3) just get used to the fact that I have to plait it everyday
4) put a snuggy hood or lycra hood on him to keep the plait in place when not riding?
5) Wash it? don't wash it?

I'd like to get this sorted - because I'll start going to shows with him (dressage) in a couple of weeks, and I want him to look smart and tidy.
How does everyone else keeps the Spanish plait looking tidy in their horse's manes?

Other questions - now we are coming into winter, and I am about to get him a new rug - stable and turnout - is it ok to use full neck rugs (that come up to the chin line) - or will they rub out his mane?

Your advice and experience is very appreciated!

 

[Morgan123]

I don't know about spanish horses but have had lots of arabs with long manes and a W cob who i do spanish plaits on as he has a long mane - AFAIK you should prob have to replait it every day as it's almost impossible to get them to stay in when grazing! Also maybe more comfortbale for horse? I would stop using mane and tail conditioner too (unless it's loose and you want it shiny!). I'd plait every day when riding, and then just do maybe some loose long plaits (maybe eight or ten) down the mane if you need to keep it tangle free when in the field.

 

[Cortez]

Hi! I have 3 horses with mega long manes, 2 PREs and a Friesian, so feel your pain. I actually hate the mane getting in the way of the reins, so it's ironic that I've ended up with 3 of the buggers. 1. Stop using mane & tail detangler if you want to plait, it contains silicon which not only makes the hair super slippery, but makes the hair break if used constantly. 2. Never leave a french/running plait in for more than a couple of hours, it can rip out hair very easily. 3. Rugs with neck pieces will rub out your lovely mane disasterously. 4. You could just do a couple of big, long strait plaits for riding. %. Yes, some sort of gel or hairspray is most effective for keeping things together when french plaiting for a class. Hope this helps!

 

[brown tack]

My mate has a Spanish horse she uses the plait bags, I think vanner on here uses them too if you look though her posts I'm sure it would come up.

Do you keep his tail long too, as mate used to keep hers about a foot on the floor she would wash, dry(with a hair drier) add lots of tail conditioner, then plait the end and wrap vet around it. Pull out the top of the tail hairs so it's stil got length. She leaves it in for 3 weeks or so.

 

[Andiamo]

it seems I will have to continue adding in an extra ten minutes when getting my horse ready to ride - for the plaiting. I got it down to 6 minutes one day when I was in a rush I might start doing thick sections in the running plait to speed things up - smaller sections doesn't seeem to help at all at keeping it in longer.

Hopefully a gel / hairspray won't cause irritation to the horse's skin / and won't damage the mane hair at all? When you use gel or hairspray - do you apply it one section at a time as you are plaiting (I'll need an extra pair of hands for this!) - or do you just spray it on the whole mane or blend it in before you start plaiting? - I just wonder if this would make the product dry and sticky and then make the mane more difficult to plait?

I didn't realise I should let out the plait after riding (I didn't know it would pull out hairs) - I've been trying to keep it in for a couple of days, but he looks very woolly and unkempt on day 2!!

Do you brush the mane before you plait it? or just run your fingers through it to comb it?

 

[Cortez]

I pick through my horses manes a couple of times a week by hand; Do NOT brush everyday or you'll have no mane left! I do wash them occassionally if they get very sticky, I also very occassionally use the mane & tail silicone spray if there are big dreadlocks or tangles to work out. The reason your horse's mane looks like a bush after a couple of days with a french plait in (!) is that the hairs are tearing out at the root. I have learned just to keep the reins untangled now, so don't plait except for dressage shows. The hairspray/gel (I prefer gel) shouldn't cause irritation, it is tested to human standards, and yes, I add it in section by section as I go along.

 

[Miss L Toe]

I use thick loose thick plaits, and use vetwrap to hold them in place for a few days, I can't keep a spanish plait in place for long, it needs sewn in, and really I can t spare the time,

 

[ironhorse]

We've got quarter horses with very long manes - we either keep them in several long plaits or running plait, depending on the horse. We tend not to touch them unless they are showing (every couple of weeks or more in the summer) and then they get washed, conditioned and replaited. They are shown with their manes loose - you do get used to it - or if shown in English tack, with a running plait. This does need a lot of product and not too much conditioner to keep it in and looking tidy.
If you are using full neck rugs over the winter (don't use half necks as they really rub long manes out!) it's best to put a lycra hood underneath, especially at night. Combo rugs with detatchable necks are not too bad for a few hours in the field.
They are hard work and I don't envy you having a long mane and a light coloured horse at the same time
But they do look gorgeous - as the ad says 'they're worth it'

 

[abina]

I have five Lusto's and three PRE at the moment. To keep the mane out of the way of the reins you will have to

a) Spanish plait - use the underhand method not overhand as this holds it tighter. never leave in always remove when finished exercising.

B) put in lots of little plaits - don't have too tight at the crest - keep loose and these can stay in for a few days.

C) put into the plait bags - get in touch with Vanner as she supplies them - they are fab !!

Don't use mane and tail spray - contains silicon which will make hairs brittle. When I wash the manes/tails of my herd I use 'Tesco' apple and aloe Vera conditioner (89p) to keep in good condition.

As for rugs - which ever you choose, invest in a snuggy hood to put on first which will protect mane rubbing on rugs. These I have to say are the only brand that I have found to stay put, not slip over eyes, or wriggle up or down. They are expensive but Soooo worth it. Snuggy hoods also do a tail bag (£10 or there abouts) which is so labour saving for the long tails. All mine live in theirs - turned out, ridden, hacked, schooled and in the stable overnight. Go for the XXL size.

Welcome to the wonderful world of PRE's - and every last minute you have will be filled with mane and tail care - I just hope to 'him above' that you don't have a grey as well !!

 

[showqa]

My PRE has to wear a full neck all of the time as he's prone to rubbing his mane out otherwise (took a chunk out the first year I had him, which is still gappy).

BUT I have to say that unfortunately the rug will rub out/break some of the hair and it does feel thinner as a result.

I actually put a slinky on underneath the rug which helps, and keep this very clean to avoid the grease build up, but we still lose some.

 

[Herts05]

I have had a PRE for 3 years. He's got the obligatory long mane. I do a Spanish Plait every time I ride him (takes me about 4 mins max, but I've had plenty of practice).
I take it out after riding and wouldn't leave it in overnight as there's more chance of him rubbing a chunk out.

I use either baby oil which I work through with my fingers or occasionally Cowboy Magic supershine spray. I don't use anything gloopy close to the roots as this is where they are likely to rub the mane out.

I have never and would never use a snuggy hood on my horse. Have seen and heard too many negative things about them.

I do use rugs with necks in the winter as my boy is fully clipped. I've found that Shires rugs work well for his build and the size of his neck.

Keep practising the spanish plait, it really is worthwhile. I took my boy on the Burghley Sponsored ride this year and got many comments from spectators as we were going around the Park

 

[noblesteed]

My horse is as white as a grey gets so I have become very adept at keeping manes nice! Especially seeing as he lives out most of the time!
I put mine in individual plaits when I can be bothered. His hair is pretty thick!!!! That is how the spanish keep their manes so nice and long, by putting lots of little plaits in and leaving them in! They can be left in for days on end as long as they aren't too tight.
I only use a spanish plait for competitions, held in place by dampening and adding plenty of human hair gel.
Never wash it - the natural grease keeps it sticky for plaiting and it doesn't dry out.
Never use rubber reins as they snap the hairs.
Never wear rubbery type gloves for riding as they snap hairs.
Never, ever EVER use a neck rug.
Never brush it every day as it just splits the hairs and weakens them.
Never use silicone spray. Put a bit of human leave-in conditioner in if you need to. I find the stuff for curly hair leaves a nice wave!!
I split the mane so a bit falls on both sides of his neck. Then when he rolls in the mud it coats the middle section of his mane which is not seen when plaited up!!!! And leaves both sides of his neck lovely and clean.

My attitude is, if I wouldn't put it on my own hair I wouldn't put it on his! We end up sharing a lot of products, being both wavy blondes!!!

 

[twinpeaks]

In the U.S they use tail and mane bags which can be used when stabled and /or out. during the night horses that do not tend to scratch or itch can have their mane split into several braids when your schooling. when competing you need to do French braids. but careful not to put silicon based detangler. a good one is the eqyiss products - they're silicon free. Also if you do not have to completely clip your pony in winter try to leave him/her without a neck cover as much as you can when stabled as it will otherwise rub the mane out. also be careful in leaving him in braids out grazing as they can rub a whole braid off in one go if ithcy. Please forgive the long belated post - but I own Friesians and it took me 5 long years to figure out how to keep hair on!! so I can feel your pain!! good luck and very best wishes ;-)

 

[depurple1]

Hmm, I seem to do things a bit differently... I don't plait at all unless going to a show or dressage. I don't find that his mane gets in the way of my hands when riding. I cover his mane and tail in Canter and comb it nearly every day - I don't find I get problems with breakage.

I don't use any kind of hood - I find his mane helps to keep his neck warm and I'm lucky as he's not keen on mud.

 

[traceyann]

Please dont shout at me i pulled mine its very short no problem with the reins

 

[mik]

Love it Traceyann!!!

 

[Fairytale]

Quick ? What do you use to fix the plaits (any plaits) i.e. rubber band type things? As don't plaiting bands break the hair as well.

F